By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions took care of business last Friday in their District 8-2A Division II opener, defeating Meridian 84-7 at Yellow Jacket Stadium.

“We wanted to make sure we started out district on a good note,” Lions head coach Denney Faith said. “I was really pleased with the way our kids played. Sometimes you can get in games like that, and it gets sloppy.”

The Lions were able to avoid that scenario even after turning the game over to their junior varsity players, who were called up because Meridian is not fielding a JV team.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany downtown will be filled with ghosts and goblins on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 30, as local merchants, along with others interested in setting up on the sidewalk, hand out Halloween candy.

The trick-or-treat event is scheduled from 2:30 until 4:30 p.m. in the downtown business blocks.

Besides local downtown merchants, anyone else interested in setting up a table on the sidewalk between businesses is welcome to do so, according to Chamber of Commerce manager Mary Beth Jones.

By Sam Waller

John Caldwell and Friends will perform after the awards are given at the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s Home of the Hereford Cookoff and Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Webb
Park.

The event, which will raise money for new decorations the Chamber puts up throughout Albany, was  rescheduled from its original date of Oct. 2.

The cookoff will consist of competition in eight categories. Entrants must preregister, according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones. Entry fee is $20 per category. Payout will be based on the number of entries.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Ticket holders for the Friends of Fort Griffin Gala held Saturday were treated to a prime rib dinner and the music of Larry, Steve, & Rudy: The Gatlins while helping raise funding for projects at the historic fort.

The gathering was held at Collins Creek Ranch, which is located at the base of the Fort Griffin Historic Site, and includes the “flat” where the town of Fort Griffin was established almost 150 years ago.

By Donnie A. Lucas

The high school and junior high students will meet together this week for the Fifth Quarter Fellowship at the Feed Store following the varsity game Friday against Hico.

The event is being hosted by Friendship Baptist Church, Bethel Assembly, and the United Methodist Church.

“We will be hosting everyone at The Feed Store again this time,” Tisha Wilkins, Feed Store executive director said.

She added that pizza and beverages will be served. The event will end at 11:00 p.m.

Some of the youngest participants in the pumpkin decorating competition sit with their entries after the presentation parade and listen to a short Bible lesson. Saturday’s Patch was sponsored by Bethel Assembly.

By Sam Waller

The Albany High School FFA has a number of fundraising projects under way, from holiday decorations, holiday meats, and treats.

Albany FFA students have been building oilfield Christmas trees and crosses in addition to other projects.

“We build those in the shop out of sucker rod and put baling wire on them,” Albany High School agriculture teacher Chris Beard said. “The kids weld and construct them.”

By Donnie A. Lucas

Officers for the Albany Chapter of the National Honor Society were elected last week and upcoming projects were discussed for the 2021-2022 school year.

Sarah Cotter was selected as president, with Luke Ivy named as vice president. Susie Cormack was picked as the secretary for the year, along with Clara Holson as treasurer and Ty Everitt as reporter.

All of the officers are seniors and were inducted into the organization last fall.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany’s Ragin’ Red Band will compete on Monday at the UIL area contest at Wylie High School in Abilene.

The band will step off at 2:15 p.m. at Wylie’s Bulldog Stadium, serving as the first band in the line-up. Albany will compete in the Class 2A competition, hoping to earn an overall rating of Division I from the judges to advance to the regional marching contest on Oct. 30 in Amarillo.

“What we have been working so hard for is now here,” director Will Vaughan said. “We will keep working hard this week to prepare.”

By Sam Waller

Albany FFA member Kenzie Neve placed eighth in her weight class recently at the State Fair of Texas with a Shorthorn steer.

Neve was originally entered in the British breeds, but was “classed out” and ended up in the All Other Breeds division against mostly crossbred cattle, according to Albany FFA sponsor Chris Beard.

“She did well, because it’s a really competitive show,” Beard said.

The State Fair run opened Sept. 24 and will conclude Oct. 17.

Neve also exhibited last week at the Heart of Texas Fair in Waco.